California demands xAI stop nonconsensual AI sex image generation by Jan. 20, 2026.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s xAI, demanding it halt the creation and distribution of nonconsensual AI-generated sexual images, including deepfakes of women and children, via its Grok chatbot. The move follows reports of widespread misuse, including the use of a "spicy mode" feature to generate explicit content without consent, violating California laws on nonconsensual nudity and child exploitation. Bonta set a January 20, 2026, deadline for compliance, warning of legal consequences if actions are not taken. The investigation centers on Grok’s image-editing capabilities, which have been used to manipulate real people’s photos into sexualized scenarios, sparking global regulatory scrutiny and platform bans in several countries.